Duracell Batteries- damaged GPS - Happy ending.

[+mygeo]

This is to let everyone know about my experience with Duracell batteries (and Proctor & Gamble, the parent company).

 

I put brand new AA Duracell batteries in my GPS. They had an expiration date of March 2014 on them.

 

About 3 months later (I had used the GPS in that time), I took it out to do some caching, and it wouldn't turn on. Thinking the batteries were dead (they weren't when I had used it about 3 weeks before), I opened the case and found that one of the batteries had leaked, and the swelling had actually cracked the case of the GPS. (It was a Garmin GPS12MAP). I'm very careful about not leaving depleted batteries in appliances, and changing batteries on a regular basis.

 

The unit was obviously damaged by the leaking battery.

 

I contacted P&G, Duracell Division. The very helpful and friendly Customer Service Representative took my information and a preliminary report. She said that within 2 weeks, I would have a package in the mail to send them the unit and batteries. Just 2 days later it arrived. I packaged the unit up and shipped it to them (at their expense...they even included a postage paid mailing label).

 

Since the GPS12MAP is no longer made, I included copies of information on similar GPS units and the prices.

 

About 2 weeks later, I received a letter and a check for the full amount of a brand new GPS, including shipping, and a coupon for a package of 16 Duracell batteries of my choice.

 

That's the first time I've ever had a leaking battery damage an appliance. It's nice to know that Duracell stands behing their products like this. I'm sure that it happens occassionally, considering the billions of batteries that are made each year.

 

This was absolutely fantastic customer service! I can tell you that from now on I will always buy Duracell batteries. Highly recommended if for nothing more than peace of mind.

[knowschad]

Wow! They replaced the GPS? That indeed is awesome customer service!!

[+pamlicojack]

Extemely cool. I guess they would rather replace a GPS than have you lost as a customer for life. Congrats on the excellent customer service...

[+Max and 99]

What a nice story. My stomach would have dropped if I had opened up my gps unit and found it ruined by the batteries!

 

I feel the same way about Garmin: we always get fantastic customer service from them, no matter what we call for.

 

I'm glad that worked out so well for you.

[+Castle Mischief]

Yay for you! So... just out of curiosity, where was your GPS stored for three months when this happened? I certainly wouldn't want the same thing to happen to me.

 

[+BCSasquatch]

That is a cool story. Sorry to hear about the damage to the GPSr, but very pleased that P&G came through for you. That is some excellent product backing there.

 

I find the Duracells outlast everything in my GPSr. I generally use rechargeables, but when I have used the standard Duracells, I was very impressed with the life-span of the batteries. I get maybe 6 hours out of a set of rechargables, but I get 8 or 9 out of the Duracells.

[+Castle Mischief]

Wait. Disposable batteries in your GPSr? I think I might feel faint.

[+bittsen]

Helpful hint #329

 

If you place Duracell batteries in a non-regulated charger, after many hours they will pop with an impressive decibel level.

 

 

Thanks for the story. Now I know how to get a new GPS when I'm tired of mine.

[+Chrysalides]

Wait. Disposable batteries in your GPSr? I think I might feel faint.

You do look a little green. Here, sit down and have a beerGuinness stout.

Edited March 17, 2010 by Chrysalides

[+Mudfrog]

Very good news that your gpsr was replaced , but in my opinion, the battery shouldn't have leaked in the first place. I too have had duracell batteries leak and corrode in the battery compartments of some of the equipment i have. It took two different episodes of ruined devices before i made up my mind not to buy duracells again.

 

I know everyone's mileage varies, but to this date, i've never had an Energizer or RayOVac battery cause any problems with any of our devices.

 

Wait. Disposable batteries in your GPSr? I think I might feel faint.

Rechargeables are pretty much all i've ever used. Again, mileage will vary but the Imedion (like Eneloop) batteries give great service in my 76Cx!

[+mygeo]

Yay for you! So... just out of curiosity, where was your GPS stored for three months when this happened? I certainly wouldn't want the same thing to happen to me.

 

 

Inside, in my backpack, as it had been for several years. No water inside the compartment or moisture in the area. Backpack dry (it's a travel backpack, not used for camping). Storage was the first thing I thought of, too. It was 3 months since the batteries were replaced, but only a a few weeks since last use.

[+popokiiti]

Thanks for sharing that fantastic customer service story with us. We always buy Duracell and have not had a problem so far! They really went the extra mile to put things right for you - good for them.

[+Prime Suspect]

I stopped using Duracell and other high-capacity alkalines years ago. There's really nothing new in the chemistry used in these batteries to get the higher capacity. They do it by making the cylinder wall thinner (and more prone to leakage), and making the battery slightly bigger (sometimes to the point where they no longer meet the specifications for the battery type).

[+Viridios]

I had a similar experience with Duracell. I was working at a casino construction site as a security officer a number of years ago, and as such one of my most useful tools was my 3 C cell Mag-lite. I placed some new Duracell batteries into it, and a few weeks later found that the batteries had burst. I was unable to remove the batteries, since they had swollen so much, so I was unable to send them to Duracell. Even then, a week or so later, I received a cheque for the cost of a new Mag-lite and batteries.

 

I love companies that stand by their product! Now, when I buy rechargeable batteries, they are always Duracell...

[+carolnbarney]

That's good to know!

 

I usually use Duracells, and while I've not had any problem, your story did cause me to get up and remove the Duracells from my GPS and place them in the bottom of my pack until I go caching again. Probably a good habit to get into anyway.

[+smstext]

good to hear there are some good customers with good customer service still out there.

[+smstext]

wow i read and respond to this a week ago, my daughter changed the batteries in the wii remote this morning to find the same thing... looks like a email to duracell too... now im not happy, two cases ive come across in weeks and never ever had this before.

[+Viridios]

wow i read and respond to this a week ago, my daughter changed the batteries in the wii remote this morning to find the same thing... looks like a email to duracell too... now im not happy, two cases ive come across in weeks and never ever had this before.

 

To be fair, I have had a variety of brands of batteries burst, and my incident with Duracell happened about 7 years ago, and have not had Duracells burst since then.

 

Edit: For typos... Stupid sausage fingers...

Edited March 27, 2010 by G_Kelley

[+larryc43230]

I guess I've been really lucky; I've been using Duracell batteries for just about all applications where rechargeable batteries are impractical, and I've never had one go bad.

 

--Larry

[CacheCrusaders]

This is to let everyone know about my experience with Duracell batteries (and Proctor & Gamble, the parent company).

 

I put brand new AA Duracell batteries in my GPS. They had an expiration date of March 2014 on them.

 

About 3 months later (I had used the GPS in that time), I took it out to do some caching, and it wouldn't turn on. Thinking the batteries were dead (they weren't when I had used it about 3 weeks before), I opened the case and found that one of the batteries had leaked, and the swelling had actually cracked the case of the GPS. (It was a Garmin GPS12MAP). I'm very careful about not leaving depleted batteries in appliances, and changing batteries on a regular basis.

 

The unit was obviously damaged by the leaking battery.

 

I contacted P&G, Duracell Division. The very helpful and friendly Customer Service Representative took my information and a preliminary report. She said that within 2 weeks, I would have a package in the mail to send them the unit and batteries. Just 2 days later it arrived. I packaged the unit up and shipped it to them (at their expense...they even included a postage paid mailing label).

 

Since the GPS12MAP is no longer made, I included copies of information on similar GPS units and the prices.

 

About 2 weeks later, I received a letter and a check for the full amount of a brand new GPS, including shipping, and a coupon for a package of 16 Duracell batteries of my choice.

 

That's the first time I've ever had a leaking battery damage an appliance. It's nice to know that Duracell stands behing their products like this. I'm sure that it happens occassionally, considering the billions of batteries that are made each year.

 

This was absolutely fantastic customer service! I can tell you that from now on I will always buy Duracell batteries. Highly recommended if for nothing more than peace of mind.

[CacheCrusaders]

This is to let everyone know about my experience with Duracell batteries (and Proctor & Gamble, the parent company).

 

I put brand new AA Duracell batteries in my GPS. They had an expiration date of March 2014 on them.

 

About 3 months later (I had used the GPS in that time), I took it out to do some caching, and it wouldn't turn on. Thinking the batteries were dead (they weren't when I had used it about 3 weeks before), I opened the case and found that one of the batteries had leaked, and the swelling had actually cracked the case of the GPS. (It was a Garmin GPS12MAP). I'm very careful about not leaving depleted batteries in appliances, and changing batteries on a regular basis.

 

The unit was obviously damaged by the leaking battery.

 

I contacted P&G, Duracell Division. The very helpful and friendly Customer Service Representative took my information and a preliminary report. She said that within 2 weeks, I would have a package in the mail to send them the unit and batteries. Just 2 days later it arrived. I packaged the unit up and shipped it to them (at their expense...they even included a postage paid mailing label).

 

Since the GPS12MAP is no longer made, I included copies of information on similar GPS units and the prices.

 

About 2 weeks later, I received a letter and a check for the full amount of a brand new GPS, including shipping, and a coupon for a package of 16 Duracell batteries of my choice.

 

That's the first time I've ever had a leaking battery damage an appliance. It's nice to know that Duracell stands behing their products like this. I'm sure that it happens occassionally, considering the billions of batteries that are made each year.

 

This was absolutely fantastic customer service! I can tell you that from now on I will always buy Duracell batteries. Highly recommended if for nothing more than peace of mind.

 

Please help! I am currently having issues with Duracell customer service. Who did you talk to and what phone number did you use to reach them? The young woman I talked to wouldn't answer a straight forward question: " Where is my unit now?" Prior to asking her, she told me that it was returned to me and then she said it was not and then she said I'd have to call back in 2-3 days while they "research" it. So I'd really like to talk to whoever you spoke with as they obviously knew how to provide customers with service. Thanks for you time!

[+Viridios]

This is to let everyone know about my experience with Duracell batteries (and Proctor & Gamble, the parent company).

 

I put brand new AA Duracell batteries in my GPS. They had an expiration date of March 2014 on them.

 

About 3 months later (I had used the GPS in that time), I took it out to do some caching, and it wouldn't turn on. Thinking the batteries were dead (they weren't when I had used it about 3 weeks before), I opened the case and found that one of the batteries had leaked, and the swelling had actually cracked the case of the GPS. (It was a Garmin GPS12MAP). I'm very careful about not leaving depleted batteries in appliances, and changing batteries on a regular basis.

 

The unit was obviously damaged by the leaking battery.

 

I contacted P&G, Duracell Division. The very helpful and friendly Customer Service Representative took my information and a preliminary report. She said that within 2 weeks, I would have a package in the mail to send them the unit and batteries. Just 2 days later it arrived. I packaged the unit up and shipped it to them (at their expense...they even included a postage paid mailing label).

 

Since the GPS12MAP is no longer made, I included copies of information on similar GPS units and the prices.

 

About 2 weeks later, I received a letter and a check for the full amount of a brand new GPS, including shipping, and a coupon for a package of 16 Duracell batteries of my choice.

 

That's the first time I've ever had a leaking battery damage an appliance. It's nice to know that Duracell stands behing their products like this. I'm sure that it happens occassionally, considering the billions of batteries that are made each year.

 

This was absolutely fantastic customer service! I can tell you that from now on I will always buy Duracell batteries. Highly recommended if for nothing more than peace of mind.

 

Please help! I am currently having issues with Duracell customer service. Who did you talk to and what phone number did you use to reach them? The young woman I talked to wouldn't answer a straight forward question: " Where is my unit now?" Prior to asking her, she told me that it was returned to me and then she said it was not and then she said I'd have to call back in 2-3 days while they "research" it. So I'd really like to talk to whoever you spoke with as they obviously knew how to provide customers with service. Thanks for you time!

 

My incident happened about 7 years ago, so I have no idea who I spoke to. I think you may need to ask for a supervisor. As for what number I called, I just called the number on the side of the battery. Perhaps it's the difference between Canadian customer service and wherever it is you reside?

 

Good luck!

[+smstext]

i just emailed them by going to their website, i was more concerned about the dangers and implications after my daughter had opened up the wii controller to change the battery.

[+LDB415]

I know this is old but it fits. My Garmin gpsmap60cx was in my van. I went out just now to retrieve it after several months of non-use. The Duracells dated Mar 2017 had leaked and oozed out. I will contact Duracell next week and hope for equally good results.

[+T.D.M.22]

I know this is old but it fits. My Garmin gpsmap60cx was in my van. I went out just now to retrieve it after several months of non-use. The Duracells dated Mar 2017 had leaked and oozed out. I will contact Duracell next week and hope for equally good results.

 

They may replace the GPSr unit and will probably replace the batteries or send you come coupons for some but it's not really their fault. I've used EVERY brand of batteries available and they all do the same thing-leak if left in something. That's why most major companies recommend to take the batteries out if you won't use it(GPSr Flashlight whatever) for a week or more. Although |I must say that I've never had any swell up to the point of not being able to be removed-that would be a battery problem, but leakage is almost normal and to be expected once or twice in a couple hundred uses.

[+grazelda]

What a nice story. My stomach would have dropped if I had opened up my gps unit and found it ruined by the batteries!

 

I feel the same way about Garmin: we always get fantastic customer service from them, no matter what we call for.

 

I'm glad that worked out so well for you.

[+LDB415]

Well, they don't pay the closest attention to initial correspondence, grabbing a canned response and sending it back. I got one saying they were sorry I had troubles with my flashlight and would send me a coupon for new batteries. I wrote back that an acquaintance had a similar situation with their GPS a few years ago and received a box to send it in and eventually a check for a replacement and I was hoping for the same. Today I got a new email saying they'd be sending packaging and paperwork and would investigate it but couldn't promise anything. At this point that's all I can hope for.